Ellipticals are a superb low-impact home exercise choice for virtually anyone. But, as with any investment in fitness equipment, our very best advice is “Don’t buy it until you’ve tested it the way you’ll use it.”
Physique Fitness specializes in fitness equipment — not hockey, soccer and golf gear. Our helpfull and trained staff will assist you in finding the elliptical best suited for you.
Go to the store prepared to get seriously educated
It's only when you put an elliptical trainer through its pace -, trying different programs, or exercising in forward and reverse motions — that you’ll start to notice and feel major differences in quality and comfort between models. So, get into your exercise clothes, put on your runners, come on in and spend some time test driving.
Warranties: Perform due diligence
Most quality units carry a lifetime warranty on their frames. For other components, look for warranty coverage for at least 1 year on labor and a minimum of 1-3 years coverage on the parts. (The most popular cross-trainer on the market carries a 5-year parts warranty.) Make sure your warranty includes the electronics and other key components.
Ask your salesperson what components are covered. And be sure to ask whether the vendor you’re buying from has their own service staff, trained and authorized by the manufacturer to service your equipment. Because, just like your car, your elliptical will need maintenance and service at some
point in its life.
How do elliptical trainers create work-out resistance?
Most cross-trainers create resistance with some form of magnetic brake. Your choice comes down to the types of magnetic resistance (standard or electro-magnetic) and the quality and features of the equipment.
Standard magnetic resistance is created by moving a powerful magnet towards or away from the moving flywheel. As the magnet moves towards the flywheel, the current generated between them increases—creating resistance. (If you recall your high school Physics, this is known as an Eddy Current.) On some standard magnetic ellipticals, you turn a dial to move the magnet towards the flywheel and create resistance. On others, a small electric motor moves the magnet.
Electro-magnetic resistance is typically used in higher-end cross-trainers. This system doesn’t have a moving magnet. Instead, an electro-magnet is positioned close to the flywheel, and current is passed through it to create a resistant force. The more current, the higher the resistance. Electromagnets are very controllable, offering a finer range of resistance adjustments than other magnetic systems.
Don’t overlook the cross-trainer’s frame
The strength of the frame is very important. A low-price machine will invariably have a cheaper build. This leads to weak joints in the frame and early failure. A well-built machine’s frame is constructed to tolerate the stresses of use for years.
Climb a mountain, ski across country, or walk in the park
Cross-trainers simulate the elliptical or roughly oval path that your foot takes between one step and the next. As you work out, your feet move with an action that can be described as somewhere between the circular motion of a bike and the flat motion of a treadmill. Most better quality elliptical trainers are equipped with a range of pre-set programs, essentially a series of varying resistances designed to simulate differing uphill gradients (sorry, no downhills). Programs let you choose the level of intensity for your workout—and also vary your workouts so your exercise program is never a dull routine.
Dual direction
A dual-direction cross-trainer let’s you choose backwards or forwards motion. A dual-action elliptical trainer has movable handlebars to work your upper body and get a total body work-out.
Compare all of our elliptical trainers - model vs model, brand vs brand
